The amount of anti-bacterial products on store shelves nowadays in staggering. Anything from anti-bacterial cleaning sprays to anti-bacterial children's toys are found in many of our shopping centers. This leaves consumers wondering if they should be leading an anti-bacterial warfare in their homes. Anti-bacterial sprays, which are one of the most frequently used disinfectants, usually contain a key ingredient. Many sprays are alcohol-based. They work by removing the water out of the cells of microorganisms, therefore causing the cells to die. Other common agents include triclosan, ammonia and bleach.
What to Look for
Make sure you read labels for basic household items and understand how to use them safely. If you have small children in your home, have the number for poison control handy in case there is accidental ingestion of any household cleaners. You should know what is the active anti-microbial agent in each product you use, especially if you are using more than one spray. For instance, if you were to use a spray that contained ammonia on a surface, and then later used a bleach-based disinfectant on the same surface, a toxic gas may be released.
Common Pitfalls
Most people assume that an anti-bacterial spray is "better" than a non-disinfectant spray. However, given the rapid rise in drug-resistant organisms, anti-bacterial sprays are not necessarily innocent. Triclosan, a commonly used anti-bacterial agent, has been implicated in increasing rates of antibiotic resistance. One of the pitfalls many people frequently fall into is that they purchase several anti-bacterial household items, thereby increasing their risk of creating drug-resistant organisms. Instead of using multiple items, why not just use an anti-bacterial spray around your house and skip the anti-bacterial deodorant and toothpaste?
There are some situations in which using an anti-bacterial product is important, however. If you work with raw meat on your kitchen counter, using an anti-bacterial product is essential to help prevent food-borne illness.
Another downside associated with the use of anti-bacterial sprays is the potentially detrimental effects it has on developing immune systems. Some experts believe that the overuse of anti-bacterial products on our children can increase their chances of developing allergies later in life.
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